Stocks that are making large moves like these are favorites among short-term traders because they can jump into these names and try to capture some of that massive volatility. Stocks that are making big-percentage moves either up or down are usually in play because their sector is becoming attractive or they have a major fundamental catalyst such as a recent earnings release. Sometimes stocks making big moves have been hit with an analyst upgrade or an analyst downgrade.

Regardless of the reason behind it, when a stock makes a large-percentage move, it is often just the start of a new major trend -- a trend that can lead to huge profits. If you time your trade correctly, combining technical indicators with fundamental trends, discipline and sound money management, you will be well on your way to investment success.

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Alexza Pharmaceuticals ( ALXA) is a pharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of products for the acute treatment of central nervous system conditions. This stock is trading up 3% to $4.30 in recent trading.

From a technical perspective, ALXA is bouncing higher here right off some near-term support at $4 with above average volume. This move is quickly pushing ALXA within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit once ALXA clears some near-term overhead resistance levels at $4.37 to $4.99 with high volume. At last check, ALXA has hit an intraday high of $4.40 and volume is just starting to clock in above its three-month average of 434,406 shares.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades as long as ALXA is trending above its 50-day at $3.72, and then once it sustains a move or close above $4.37 to $4.99 with volume that's near or above 434,406 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then ALXA will have a great chance of re-filling a previous gap and trending back towards $6 to $7.

Discovery Laboratories

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Discovery Laboratories ( DSCO) is a biotechnology company developing surfactant therapies to treat respiratory disorders and diseases. This stock is trading up 10.5% to $3.10 in recent trading.

From a technical perspective, DSCO is ripping higher here with monster volume. This move has pushed DSCO into breakout territory, since the stock has cleared some near-term overhead resistance levels at $2.78 to $2.90.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades off the next major breakout for DSCO. That breakout will trigger once DSCO sustains a move or close above $3.15 with high volume. At last check DSCO has hit an intraday high of $3.17 and volume is well above its three-month average of 528,784 shares. Traders can look to get long DSCO off weakness as long as it holds today's low of $2.84. If that breakout triggers soon, then look for DSCO to re-fill a previous gap and trend higher towards $3.50 to $3.73, or possibly even $5 in the near future.

XenoPort

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XenoPort ( XNPT) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing a portfolio of internally for the treatment of neurological disorders. This stock is trading up 4.5% at $9.35 in recent trading.

From a technical perspective, XNPT is ripping higher here with decent volume, and this stock has moved into breakout territory above some near-term overhead resistance at $9. This move has also pushed XNPT into new 52-week high territory, after the stock hit an intraday high today of $9.70.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in XNPT as long as it's trending above $8.50 to $9 with strong upside volume flows. I would consider any upside volume day that registers near or above 578,400 shares as bullish. If XNPT can maintain that trend, then this stock has a great chance of re-testing and possibly taking out its next significant overhead resistance levels at $11.34 to $11.82.

Nanosphere

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Nanosphere ( NSPH) develops, manufactures and markets an advanced molecular diagnostics platform, the Verigene System, which enables simple, low cost, and highly sensitive genomic and protein testing on a single platform. This stock is trading up 4.7% at $3.79 in recent trading.

Today's Range: $3.57-$3.89 52-Week Range: $0.89-$3.73

Volume: 1.1 million

Three-Month Average Volume: 1.1 million

From a technical perspective, NSPH is moving sharply higher here with above average volume. This stock has been uptrending very strong for the last three months, with shares soaring from $1.63 to today's intraday high of $3.89. During that move, NSPH has been consistently making higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has also pushed NSPH into breakout territory today, since the stock has started to move above some near-term overhead resistance at $3.73.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades as long as NSPH is trending above some near-term support at $3.36 to $3.27, and then once it sustains a move or close above $3.73 to $3.89 with high volume. Look for volume off that move that's near or above 1,088,680 shares. If this breakout continues to trigger, then look for NSPH to hit $4.50 to $5.50 in the near future.

Xoma

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Xoma ( XOMA) is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development and manufacture of therapeutic antibodies and other agents designed to treat inflammatory, autoimmune, infectious and oncological diseases.. This stock is trading up 3.8% at $3.32 in recent trading.

Today's Range: $3.18-$3.37

52-Week Range: $1.04-$4.13

Volume: 238,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 745,805

From a technical perspective, XOMA is moving notably higher here back above its 50-day moving average of $3.31 with light volume. This move is quickly pushing XOMA within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit once XOMA takes out some near-term overhead resistance levels at $3.30 to $3.36 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in XOMA as long as it's trending above some near-term support at $3, and then once it sustains a move or close above $3.30 to $3.36 with volume that's near or above 745,805 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then XOMA will have a great chance of re-testing and possibly taking out its next major overhead resistance levels at $3.97 to $4.13. Keep in mind that if $4.13 is taken out soon with volume, then the next major overhead resistance level sits at $5.

Bacterin International

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Bacterin International ( BONE) develops, manufactures and markets biologics products to domestic and international markets through Bacterin's biologics division. This stock is trading up 8.5% at $1.65 in recent trading.

Today's Range: $1.51-$1.66

52-Week Range: $1.10-$3.93

Volume: 256,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 236,359

Shares of BONE are ripping higher today after the company said it secured $25 million non-dilutive financing with an affiliate of OrbiMed Advisors. The financing will enable Bacterin to execute it growth strategy through anticipated profitability.

From a technical perspective, BONE is soaring higher here right off its 50-day moving average of $1.47 with above average volume. This move is quickly pushing BONE within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit once BONE clears some near-term overhead resistance levels at $1.70 to $1.72 with high volume.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades once BONE sustains a move or close above $1.70 to $1.72 with volume that's near or above 236,359 shares. Keep in mind that traders can get long BONE off weakness and anticipate that breakout, and simply key off $1.33 as near-term support. If that breakout triggers soon, then look for BONE to re-test and possibly take out its next major overhead resistance levels at $2 to $2.13 in the near future.

Northern Dynasty Minerals

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Northern Dynasty Minerals ( NAK) is engaged in the exploration of mineral properties. The company holds 650 square miles of mineral claims in southwest Alaska. This stock is trading up 5.8% to $2.64 in recent trading.

Today's Range: $2.55-$2.71

52-Week Range: $2.20-$10.68

Volume: 252,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 256,181

From a technical perspective, NAK is surging higher here with decent volume, and its powering above its 50-day moving average of $2.49. This move has also pushed NAK into breakout territory, since it's cleared some near-term overhead resistance levels at $2.50 to $2.65.

Traders should now look for long-biased trades in NAK once it triggers its next major breakout. That trade will hit once NAK clears some past overhead resistance levels at $2.72 to $2.94 with high volume. Look for volume off that move that registers near or above 256,181 shares. At last check, NAK has hit an intraday high of $2.72 and volume is close to surpassing its three-month average action of 256,181 shares. If that breakout triggers soon, then NAK will have a great chance of making a monster move back towards its next significant overhead resistance level near $4. Traders should use NAK's 50-day moving average of $2.49 and $2.26 as near-term support levels.

Entropic Communications

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Entropic Communications ( ENTR) is fabless semiconductor company that designs, develops and markets systems solutions to enable connected home entertainment. This stock is trading up 6.7% to $5.67 in recent trading.

Today's Range: $5.23-$5.68

52-Week Range: $3.40-$7.38

Volume: 999,000

Three-Month Average Volume: 1,124,990

From a technical perspective, ENTR is bouncing right off its 200-day moving average of $5.29 here, and its powering back above its 50-day moving average of $5.48 with decent volume. This move is quickly pushing ENTR within range of triggering a major breakout trade. That trade will hit once ENTR takes out $5.91 to $6.11 with high volume.

Traders can now look for long-biased trades in ENTR as long as it's trending above both its 50-day and 200-day with strong upside volume flows. I would consider any upside volume day that registers near or above 1,124,990 shares as bullish. If ENTR can maintain its trend above those key moving averages, then this stock will setup to trigger that breakout above $5.91 to $6.11. If that breakout triggers soon, then look for ENTR to re-test and possibly take out its next major overhead resistance level at $6.45 to $7.38.

At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.

Roberto Pedone, based out of Windermere, Fla., is an independent trader who focuses on stocks, options, futures, commodities and currencies. He is also an outside contributor to Beconequity.com and maintains the website Maddmoney.net, which he sold to Blue Wave Advisors in 2008. Roberto studied International Business at The Milwaukee School of Engineering, and he spent a year overseas studying business in Lubeck, Germany.

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